Moschino free bass accordion discussion re-launch

[earth2matt]

The thread "Free Bass -- Moschino system" is closed, so I'm starting a new thread here for anyone interested.

I've been privately learning how to play Moschino accordion (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-bass_system) a free-bass instrument played well by the late George Secor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Secor). Youtube features several of his performances which demonstrate the flexibility of the system to do provide chord voicings. An interview with him at NAA 4 years ago explains this unique thing.


I'm just starting to understand (in that part of a brain that internalizes music performance):
1) the mechanics of this system basically allows for all chords: 6th, Maj7 and sus4 chords too or allow chromatic runs and melodic interaction very easily.
2) chromatic color shifts in many musical pieces are easy
3) the left hand pinky finger is helpful and usable, like on the piano - but the dexterity of this requires practice
3) Mastering stradella-like circle-of-fifths jumps (fifths and fourth direction and relative minor usage) is also important

George is able to play Bach 2 part inventions, and seems to suggest that classical theory (first lessons in Bach, etc) is the way to learn this.
So: Is anyone else familar this this instrument? Suggestion for practice patterns, text, etc.

I'd like to get to solo jazz level performance ability (although that is currently a stretch goal).

​

 

[AccordionJustice]

It's cool to have someone on this forum who has personal experience with this freebass system. This subject has been awfully quiet since the passing of Mr Secor. Have you personally tried any other freebass systems before Moschino? If so how do they compare?

Dallas Vietty is the main promoter of this system, So I would recommend getting in touch with him. His website, Risingreed has a whole section dedicated to Moschino practice that might be helpful. https://community.risingreed.com/c/moschino-free-bass-area/

 

[earth2matt]

It's cool to have someone on this forum who has personal experience with this freebass system. This subject has been awfully quiet since the passing of Mr Secor. Have you personally tried any other freebass systems before Moschino? If so how do they compare?

Dallas Vietty is the main promoter of this system, So I would recommend getting in touch with him. His website, Risingreed has a whole section dedicated to Moschino practice that might be helpful. https://community.risingreed.com/c/moschino-free-bass-area/

Hello.

I'm in touch with Dallas - and he is a great resource of knowledge and ability. (see below)

I've used a Giulietti C-system free-bass accordion. It is very light and the major/minor patterns are easy. But the downsides are tremendous
The other systems are variation of the C-system (for the sake of this response)

On the C-system:

a) large jumps are required quite often requiring feats of athletic ability - in comparison, the stradella system minimizes large jumps and makes playing much much easier. Moschino is even easier at this as the jumps are even shorter than stradella. One can find home base (like Cmaj or Amin) and go to any chord easily.

b) chord shapes - The fourth button row helps keep the chord shapes the same in all keys with this on C-system. Moschino does a similar thing.

The C-system is basically chromatic scale in 3 button rows (with 1 row duplicated)
reference : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-bass_system
Moschino is basically chromatic scale with 4 button rows. (with 2 or 4 rows duplicated)
reference : https://www.accordionists.info/threads/free-bass-moschino-system.1402/
reference featuring Dallas Vietty:
This duplicated button rows helps with inversions but Big open chords are not easily reachable on the standard C-system

 

[petch]

It seems like an interesting system and if I were to play piano accordion would probably be the system I'd choose. George's recordings on YouTube are partly what got me interested in free bass earlier last year

 

[Zevy]

The thread "Free Bass -- Moschino system" is closed, so I'm starting a new thread here for anyone interested.​

​

I've been privately learning how to play Moschino accordion (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-bass_system) a free-bass instrument played well by the late George Secor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Secor). Youtube features several of his performances which demonstrate the flexibility of the system to do provide chord voicings. An interview with him at NAA 4 years ago explains this unique thing.​

​

​

​

I'm just starting to understand (in that part of a brain that internalizes music performance):​

1) the mechanics of this system basically allows for all chords: 6th, Maj7 and sus4 chords too or allow chromatic runs and melodic interaction very easily. ​

2) chromatic color shifts in many musical pieces are easy​

3) the left hand pinky finger is helpful and usable, like on the piano - but the dexterity of this requires practice​

3) Mastering stradella-like circle-of-fifths jumps (fifths and fourth direction and relative minor usage) is also important​

​

George is able to play Bach 2 part inventions, and seems to suggest that classical theory (first lessons in Bach, etc) is the way to learn this. ​

So: Is anyone else familar this this instrument? Suggestion for practice patterns, text, etc.​

​

I'd like to get to solo jazz level performance ability (although that is currently a stretch goal).​

​

​

Welcome aboard. I had the opportunity to see one up close recently:

 

[JerryPH]

Welcome aboard. I had the opportunity to see one up close recently:

What an interesting shot, Zevy... the Moschino accordion on a wooden lamp table with embroidered dolly suggests a home environment, then the Janko keyboard in the back followed by other keyboards and shelf environment suggests a collection... looks like a super interesting place!

 

[Zevy]

What an interesting shot, Zevy... the Moschino accordion on a wooden lamp table with embroidered dolly suggests a home environment, then the Janko keyboard in the back followed by other keyboards and shelf environment suggests a collection... looks like a super interesting place!

A World of Accordions Museum, Superior, Wisconsin USA

A World of Accordions Museum in Superior, WI is the world's largest accordion museum

www.worldofaccordions.org

 

[AccordionJustice]

Welcome aboard. I had the opportunity to see one up close recently:

What an awesome opportunity Zevy. It looks to be in great condition well!

 

[Bruceclayton]

Well, I personally studied under Mario in the early to mid 70s, remember George S , have an original Mochino FB...competed on Natl level high school years...Lots of stories to reminisce...more later